Supportive Services and Senior Centers Program
Authorizing Legislation: Section 321 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended
The Purpose of the Program and How it Works
Home and Community-Based Supportive Services, established in 1973, provides grants to States and Territories using a formula based primarily on their share of the national population aged 60 and over. The grants fund a broad array of services that enable seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible. These services include but are not limited to:
- Access services such as transportation, case management, and information and assistance;
- In-home services such as personal care, chore, and homemaker assistance; and
- Community services such as legal services, mental health services, and adult day care.
This program also funds multi-purpose senior centers that coordinate and integrate services for the older adults such as congregate meals, community education, health screening, exercise/health promotion programs and transportation.
Each State uses an intrastate funding formula to allocate funds to its area agencies on aging. Area agencies on aging have the flexibility to use their funds to provide the supportive services that best meet the needs of seniors in their planning and service areas.
Data Highlight Extensive Services Provided to Seniors
FY 2007 output data for Home and Community-Based Supportive Services give details on the services seniors received from this program which enabled them to remain independent in their homes and communities through:
- Transportation Services - over 29 million rides to doctor’s offices, grocery stores, pharmacies, senior centers, meal sites, and other critical daily activities.
- Personal Care, Homemaker, and Chore Services - nearly 28 million hours of assistance to seniors unable to perform daily activities (such as eating, dressing or bathing) or instrumental activities of daily living (such as shopping or light housework)
- Adult Day Care/Day Health Services - nearly 8 million hours of care for dependent adults in a supervised, protective group setting.
- Case Management Services - nearly 4 million hours of assistance in assessing needs, developing care plans, and arranging services for older persons or their caregivers.
- Legal Services - 968,465 units of service to seniors ranging from defense of guardianship to housing and service entitlements.
For more information on OAA service data see the Aging Network’s State Program Reports at:
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Program_Results/SPR/Index.aspx
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Funding History
Funding for Home and Community-Based Supportive Services during the past four years is as follows:
| FY 2005 |
$354,136,000 |
| FY 2006 |
$350,354,000 |
| FY 2007 |
$350,595,000 |
| FY 2008 |
$351,348,000 |
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Resources and Useful Links
Eldercare Locator
The Locator connects older adults and their caregivers to service agencies in their area.
Web Site: http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp
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The National Center on Senior Transportation
The Center provides technical assistance, training and support for innovations in transportation for older adults at the community level.
Phone number: (866) 528-NCST (6278)
Web Site: www.seniortransportation.net
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The National Aging Information and Referral Support Center
The Center offers training, technical assistance, product development and consultation to the aging network.
Web Site: www.nasua.org/issues/tech_assist_resources/
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National Institute of Senior Centers
The Institute serves as a vehicle for coordination, communication, action, and guidance to the senior center field on a national level.
Web Site: www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionid=44
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
The Technical Assistance Center includes funding opportunities, professional resources, programs and resources related to senior adult mental health.
Web Site: http://www.samhsa.gov/Matrix/matrix_older.aspx
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American Bar Association (ABA)/Commission on Law and Aging
The ABA Commission on Law and Aging seeks to strengthen and secure the legal rights for seniors through research, policy development, technical assistance, advocacy, education, and training.
Web Site: www.abanet.org/aging/
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| Last Modified: 7/16/2009 8:53:57 AM |
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